DOCSLIB.ORG

An Arid Zone Awash with Diversity: Patterns in the Distribution of Aquatic Invertebrates in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Arid Zone Awash with Diversity: Patterns in the Distribution of Aquatic Invertebrates in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia DOI: 10.18195/issn.0313-122x.78(1).2010.205-246 Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 78: 205–246 (2010). An arid zone awash with diversity: patterns in the distribution of aquatic invertebrates in the Pilbara region of Western Australia Adrian M. Pinder1, Stuart A. Halse1, 2, Russell J. Shiel3 and Jane M. McRae1, 2 1Department of Environment and Conservation, PO Box 51, Wanneroo, Western Australia 6946, Australia 2Present address: Bennelongia Pty Ltd, 5 Bishop St, Jolimont, Western Australia 6014, Australia 3School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia Corresponding author: email: [email protected] Abstract – The Pilbara region of Western Australia is an arid zone with an abundance of wetlands, ranging from springs and river pools to salt marshes, claypans, rockpools and gnammas. The Pilbara is also rich in mineral resources, which are being heavily exploited, and most of the region is under pastoral lease, with both land uses potentially having an impact upon aquatic systems. In order to provide information for improved conservation planning, including environmental impact assessment and reserve system design, a survey of wetland fauna was undertaken as part of a broader biodiversity survey of the region. This paper describes patterns in the distribution of the region’s aquatic invertebrate diversity and identifi es environmental correlates of those patterns. Invertebrates and environmental variables were surveyed at 100 wetlands in spring and autumn between 2003 and 2006. The Pilbara appears to have a particularly diverse fauna for an arid zone, with just over 1000 species collected, an average of 94 species per sample and a maximum sample richness of 226 species. About a fi fth of the fauna is known to date only from the Pilbara. The remaining species are western endemics, occur elsewhere in northern and/or inland Australia, or have continental or wider distributions. Most species seem to be widespread in the Pilbara region but rare and/or restricted elements are present, especially in some permanently fl owing springs, including those in Millstream and Karijini National Parks, and in ephemeral wetlands such as Fortescue Marsh and freshwater claypans. Faunal composition was not strongly correlated with season, drainage divides, stream order or previously recognised bioregional boundaries. A number of assemblages of species with common patterns of occurrence were identifi ed, each showing unique associations with measured environmental variables. Flow, turbidity, salinity, sediments, macrophytes and hydrological persistence are among the environmental gradients most strongly correlated with occurrence patterns in the fauna. INTRODUCTION is currently hampered by very poor knowledge of how aquatic biodiversity is distributed across The Pilbara region of north-western Australia the region (McKenzie et al. 2002). While a few of is a geologically and geomorphically distinct and the more iconic wetland systems are encompassed ancient part of the continent (Taylor 1994). It has by existing reserves (gorge streams in Karijini a harsh climate, with low but mostly seasonal National Park and the springs and deep permanent rainfall, resulting from intense tropical lows river pools in Millstream National Park), the in summer (many of cyclonic intensity). The conservation estate covers just 7.75% of the Pilbara combination of these elements, plus extensive groundwater aquifers with surface expressions, IBRA region in four parks and is not representative has created a diverse array of wetlands, including of the range of wetlands present in the region. claypans and clay fl ats, rockpools in creeks and This survey of aquatic invertebrates was part of rocky outcrops, springs, river pools (many of a broader project (McKenzie et al. 2009), designed which are permanent) and the large endorheic to provide information on the distribution of the Fortescue Marsh system. Land use in the Pilbara is region’s biodiversity for a range of conservation almost entirely pastoralism and mining and these management needs, including reserve system activities place considerable pressure on the region’s design and environmental impact assessment. wetlands. Effective protection of these wetlands Protection of biodiversity is achieved more easily 206 A.M. Pinder, S.A. Halse, R.J. Shiel, J.M. McRae Figure 1 Maps of the Pilbara region showing wetland locations, major rivers, IBRA sub-regions (shaded, with full names) and drainage basins (bounded by bold lines and abbreviated as follows: ASH, Ashburton; OC, On- slow Coast; FOR, Fortescue; PHC, Port Hedland Coast; DGO, De Grey-Oakover; and GSD, Great Sandy Des- ert. Numbers next to sites in the bottom map are site numbers as per Table 1. Distribution patterns of aquatic invertebrates 207 and effi ciently where there is an understanding of tributaries (Figure 1). This area of about 225,000 km2 what it comprises and how it is distributed across includes all of the Pilbara IBRA bioregion as well the landscape (Haila and Margules 1996; Vinson as the some of the northern Gascoyne IBRA region and Hawkins 1998; Gaston 2000; Margules et al. (parts of the Augustus and Ashburton subregions) 2002). It is assisted further by an understanding (Australian Government 2004). A summary of the of how biodiversity patterning is related to region’s landforms, geology and climate is provided environmental gradients to allow extrapolation by McKenzie et al. (2009). beyond the limited area sampled (Nicholls 1989). The Pilbara region coincides largely with the This type of information is essential to designing Pilbara Craton, one of Australia’s major geological an effi cient conservation reserve system (Brooks blocks (Geological Survey of Western Australia et al. 2004; Pressey 2004), undertaking accurate 1990). The Craton is characterised by hard rock threatened species and communities assessments landscapes that were laid down in Archaean times, (Strayer 2006) and enabling the environmental 2.5 to 3.5 billion years ago, making them some of impacts of land management decisions to be the oldest rocks on the planet (Boulter 1986). The assessed in a regional context (Stork et al. 1996). basement is exposed as granite and greenstone Such work also provides information on ecological terrane in the north but overlain by rugged tolerances, which have direct relevance for sedimentary strata, volcanic fl ows and lateritised conservation by providing explanation of changes caps in the south. in animal abundance and distribution (e.g. Pinder Average annual rainfall is < 350 mm, falling et al. 2005) mostly in summer as a result of tropical lows and In Western Australia (WA), comprehensive cyclones that cross the Pilbara coast about every regional scale aquatic biodiversity assessments have second year on average (http://www.bom.gov.au). been carried out in the Carnarvon Basin, south of Average summer rainfall is 150–300 mm across the Pilbara (Halse et al. 2000; Keighery et al. 2000) most of the Pilbara but attenuates south-westward and in the South-west Agricultural Zone (Halse to < 100 mm. Winter rainfall, which occurs as et al. 2004; Lyons et al. 2004; Pinder et al. 2004). cold fronts pass over the region, has an opposing Biodiversity information from these surveys has trend with an average of 50–75 mm in the west contributed to conservation programs such as the and uplands to < 25 mm in the east and lowlands. selection of ‘biodiversity recovery catchments’ for Average maximum temperatures range from intensive management in the wheatbelt (Walshe 21–30ºC in winter to 36–42ºC in summer (Bureau of et al. 2004, Quinlan et al. 2009) and selection of Meteorology Australia 2008). land for the conservation estate in the Carnarvon In late summer 2002/3 (about six months prior Basin (McKenzie et al. 2000, Brandis 2009). The to sampling commencing in August 2003), several dataset presented here has already been used for low intensity cyclones and tropical lows caused conservation value assessment (e.g. Pinder and fl oods in the Ashburton River and upper (but not Leung 2009; Van Leeuwen 2009) and assessment lower) Fortescue River, and minor flooding in of likely environmental impacts of resource the De Grey-Oakover River. In early March 2004, development proposals in the Pilbara. Cyclone Monty caused severe fl oods in most major This paper examines the distribution of aquatic Pilbara river systems (Figure 2), except the Robe invertebrates across the region in relation to a River. In late March 2004, Cyclone Fay also caused range of landscape and environmental variables. severe fl oods, mostly in eastern rivers such as the The main approach taken is to identify groups De Grey and Coongan. Cyclones Clare and Glenda of species (assemblages) with similar patterns of in January and March 2006 resulted in severe distribution across space and time and presumably, fl oods in the Ashburton, Robe, Fortescue and Port therefore, similar responses to environmental Hedland coast Rivers but only minor fl ooding in gradients. The advantage of identifying groups of the De Grey-Oakover system. No cyclones affected species with similar distribution, before analysing the Pilbara in summer 2004/5. Winter rains in the influence of environmental variables on 2005 resulted in minor fl ow-pulses across most of occurrence, is that gradients and thresholds may the Pilbara (but these are not visible at the scale of be identifi ed for the subsets that are masked or Figure 2). underestimated when working with all species together (McKenzie et al. 2004). Wetland settings Many of the wetland systems in the Pilbara are The Pilbara region strongly infl uenced by the rapid movement of water For the purposes of this study, what we call in the landscape resulting from the combination the ‘Pilbara’ region is bounded to the south by of intense rainfall events (especially from cyclonic the main channel of the Ashburton River and to systems) and the largely impervious geology. the east by the De Grey-Oakover River and its In addition, the extensive alluvial, sedimentary 208 A.M.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Documentary Records Locating Aboriginal People on Mulga Downs Pre 1922 Identified Marriage / Death Certificates (From W.A
    Documentary Records locating Aboriginal people on Mulga Downs pre 1922 Identified Marriage / Death certificates (from W.A. Registry Services) - Death Certificate Registration 18/1955, Roebourne district - Tommy Tucker (stockman) male aged 73 born (c.1882) at Mulga Downs Station, son of unknown parents, no marriage details recorded, no children recorded, deceased 10/12/1955 at Roebourne district hospital, buried 10/12/1955 in native portion Roebourne cemetery, last resident at Mulga Downs station prior to death. Note: witnesses were Tumbler and F. Hick - Death Certificate Registration 20/1956, Roebourne district - Banjo (indigent) male age 75 born (c1881) at Mulga Downs, child of Peter (occupation unknown) and Polly spouse not recorded, children Ada (age unknown), date of death 08/12/1956, deceased at Mulga Downs Station, buried at Native Portion Mulga Downs cemetery, last resident at Mulga Downs Station, Wittenoom prior to death. This could possibly be a record of Banjo shown by Palmer to be a partner of ivy Tucker @ Naijong : p. 26 Ivy Tucker shown as mother of Harold (father Harold Mayor, Euro, partner of Daphne Jones); Selina (father Gayuna), Blanche Tucker (father Gayuna), Gertie (father Gayuna), Eric Cosmo (father Spiro Cosmos, Greek); Selina (father Gayuna, partner of Pat Long), Blanche Tucker (father Gayuna), Gertie (father Gayuna, partner of Ginger Parker), John Douglas MacArthur (father McArthur, Euro); Eustace (partner of Dulcie Tumbler) and Ivy also partner of Spider (Ngarla man, no children), Banjo (no children) and Hickey Bung. - Death Certificate Registration 18/1956, Roebourne district - Sally Dundy (indigent native) female age 80 born (c1876) at Mulga Downs, Wittenoom, child of unknown parents, spouse not recorded, no children recorded, date of death 19/10/1956, deceased at Mulga Downs Station, buried at Native Portion Mulga Downs cemetery, last resident at Mulga Downs station, Wittenoom prior to death.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cyclone As Trope of Apocalypse and Place in Queensland Literature
    ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following work: Spicer, Chrystopher J. (2018) The cyclone written into our place: the cyclone as trope of apocalypse and place in Queensland literature. PhD Thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: https://doi.org/10.25903/7pjw%2D9y76 Copyright © 2018 Chrystopher J. Spicer. The author has certified to JCU that they have made a reasonable effort to gain permission and acknowledge the owners of any third party copyright material included in this document. If you believe that this is not the case, please email [email protected] The Cyclone Written Into Our Place The cyclone as trope of apocalypse and place in Queensland literature Thesis submitted by Chrystopher J Spicer M.A. July, 2018 For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Arts, Society and Education James Cook University ii Acknowledgements of the Contribution of Others I would like to thank a number of people for their help and encouragement during this research project. Firstly, I would like to thank my wife Marcella whose constant belief that I could accomplish this project, while she was learning to live with her own personal trauma at the same time, encouraged me to persevere with this thesis project when the tide of my own faith would ebb. I could not have come this far without her faith in me and her determination to journey with me on this path. I would also like to thank my supervisors, Professors Stephen Torre and Richard Landsdown, for their valuable support, constructive criticism and suggestions during the course of our work together.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Priorities for the Northern Quoll (Dasyurus Hallucatus) in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia
    CSIRO PUBLISHING Australian Mammalogy Review http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AM15005 Research priorities for the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia Viki A. Cramer A, Judy Dunlop A, Rob Davis B, Ryan Ellis C, Belinda Barnett D, Annette Cook A, Keith Morris A and Stephen van Leeuwen A,E AScience and Conservation Division, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983, Australia. BSchool of Natural Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia. CDepartment of Terrestrial Zoology, Western Australian Museum, 49 Kew Street, Welshpool, WA 6106, Australia. DEnvironment Department, BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 125 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia. ECorresponding author. Email: [email protected] Abstract. The Pilbara population of the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) has been seldom studied, and the impacts of threats such as altered fire regimes, total grazing pressure, predation and mining and infrastructure development are not well understood. While the Pilbara was once thought likely to provide refuge for northern quolls from the poisonous cane toad (Rhinella marina), recent modelling suggests that cane toads will invade the region. The environmental approvals process for mining development in the Pilbara has generated considerable offset funds that are to be directed towards research on the northern quoll. In an effort to identify future research priorities for this species in the Pilbara through a collaborative
    [Show full text]
  • Module One Understanding Tropical Cyclone
    Module One Understanding Tropical Cyclone About this Module Students take part in a collection of activities, designed to give them a basic understanding of the impact a tropical cyclone has on Western Australian coastal areas. They discover when, where and how often tropical cyclones occur in Western Australia and the type of weather associated with tropical cyclones. Background Information A tropical cyclone is a natural hazard that brings with it damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and storm surge. Cyclone activity produces strong onshore winds and flooding rains, which increases the threat of storm surge. Sea levels can rise rapidly as a tropical cyclone makes landfall resulting in storm surge impacting low-lying coastal areas during and after a cyclone. The heavy rainfall associated with cyclones can result in flash and broad-scale flooding. Communities who do not experience a direct tropical cyclone impact can still experience widespread flooding. Western Australia experiences tropical cyclones every year, normally affecting the coast in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Midwest Gascoyne regions. Cyclones can also affect inland parts of northern WA and can travel down the coast and threaten communities further south. The coastline between Exmouth and Broome has the highest incidence of cyclones anywhere in Australia. This area is commonly referred to as ‘Cyclone Alley’. On average, five tropical cyclones are expected to form in waters off the northwest coast of WA each season between November and April. Two of these cyclones are likely to cross the northwest coast, with one crossing as a severe tropical cyclone. The average life cycle for most cyclones is one week.
    [Show full text]
  • The Riparian Flora and Plant Communities of the Pilbara Region Of
    DOI: 10.18195/issn.0313-122x.78(2).2015.485-513 Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 78: 485–513 (2015). The riparian fl ora and plant communities of the Pilbara region of Western Australia M.N. Lyons Department of Parks and Wildlife, Science and Conservation Division, Kieran McNamara Conservation Science Centre, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983, Australia. Email: [email protected] Abstract – A survey of riparian fl ora and plant communities was undertaken at 98 wetlands and rivers in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Sampling was quadrat-based, with fl oristics, surface soils and wetland attributes recorded. Selected sites captured the full range of Pilbara wetland types including springs, river pools, claypans, salt marshes and rock pools. A total of 455 taxa was recorded from the survey sites, representing ca. 25% of the known fl ora of the Pilbara bioregion. The fl ora is dominated by taxa with Eremaean and tropical affi nities, with only six taxa endemic in the region. Of recorded taxa known from four or fewer bioregions, most are shared with the adjacent Carnarvon and Gascoyne bioregions rather than the adjoining internally draining deserts. Sixteen taxa of conservation signifi cance were documented, with claypans, the Fortescue Marsh, and Millstream and Karijini National Park sites dominating occurrences of rare species. Eight major groups were defi ned by classifying wetlands in terms of species presence/absence data. Floristic patterning was strongly aligned with the major wetland types (geomorphic/hydrological) used in the primary sampling stratifi cation. A combination of wetland morphology/hydrological setting, site edaphic attributes and distance to the coast were dominant variables related to riparian fl oristic composition.
    [Show full text]
  • Wool Statistical Area's
    Wool Statistical Area's Monday, 24 May, 2010 A ALBURY WEST 2640 N28 ANAMA 5464 S15 ARDEN VALE 5433 S05 ABBETON PARK 5417 S15 ALDAVILLA 2440 N42 ANCONA 3715 V14 ARDGLEN 2338 N20 ABBEY 6280 W18 ALDERSGATE 5070 S18 ANDAMOOKA OPALFIELDS5722 S04 ARDING 2358 N03 ABBOTSFORD 2046 N21 ALDERSYDE 6306 W11 ANDAMOOKA STATION 5720 S04 ARDINGLY 6630 W06 ABBOTSFORD 3067 V30 ALDGATE 5154 S18 ANDAS PARK 5353 S19 ARDJORIE STATION 6728 W01 ABBOTSFORD POINT 2046 N21 ALDGATE NORTH 5154 S18 ANDERSON 3995 V31 ARDLETHAN 2665 N29 ABBOTSHAM 7315 T02 ALDGATE PARK 5154 S18 ANDO 2631 N24 ARDMONA 3629 V09 ABERCROMBIE 2795 N19 ALDINGA 5173 S18 ANDOVER 7120 T05 ARDNO 3312 V20 ABERCROMBIE CAVES 2795 N19 ALDINGA BEACH 5173 S18 ANDREWS 5454 S09 ARDONACHIE 3286 V24 ABERDEEN 5417 S15 ALECTOWN 2870 N15 ANEMBO 2621 N24 ARDROSS 6153 W15 ABERDEEN 7310 T02 ALEXANDER PARK 5039 S18 ANGAS PLAINS 5255 S20 ARDROSSAN 5571 S17 ABERFELDY 3825 V33 ALEXANDRA 3714 V14 ANGAS VALLEY 5238 S25 AREEGRA 3480 V02 ABERFOYLE 2350 N03 ALEXANDRA BRIDGE 6288 W18 ANGASTON 5353 S19 ARGALONG 2720 N27 ABERFOYLE PARK 5159 S18 ALEXANDRA HILLS 4161 Q30 ANGEPENA 5732 S05 ARGENTON 2284 N20 ABINGA 5710 18 ALFORD 5554 S16 ANGIP 3393 V02 ARGENTS HILL 2449 N01 ABROLHOS ISLANDS 6532 W06 ALFORDS POINT 2234 N21 ANGLE PARK 5010 S18 ARGYLE 2852 N17 ABYDOS 6721 W02 ALFRED COVE 6154 W15 ANGLE VALE 5117 S18 ARGYLE 3523 V15 ACACIA CREEK 2476 N02 ALFRED TOWN 2650 N29 ANGLEDALE 2550 N43 ARGYLE 6239 W17 ACACIA PLATEAU 2476 N02 ALFREDTON 3350 V26 ANGLEDOOL 2832 N12 ARGYLE DOWNS STATION6743 W01 ACACIA RIDGE 4110 Q30 ALGEBUCKINA
    [Show full text]
  • Looking West: a Guide to Aboriginal Records in Western Australia
    A Guide to Aboriginal Records in Western Australia The Records Taskforce of Western Australia ¨ ARTIST Jeanette Garlett Jeanette is a Nyungar Aboriginal woman. She was removed from her family at a young age and was in Mogumber Mission from 1956 to 1968, where she attended the Mogumber Mission School and Moora Junior High School. Jeanette later moved to Queensland and gained an Associate Diploma of Arts from the Townsville College of TAFE, majoring in screen printing batik. From 1991 to present day, Jeanette has had 10 major exhibitions and has been awarded four commissions Australia-wide. Jeanette was the recipient of the Dick Pascoe Memorial Shield. Bill Hayden was presented with one of her paintings on a Vice Regal tour of Queensland. In 1993 several of her paintings were sent to Iwaki in Japan (sister city of Townsville in Japan). A recent major commission was to create a mural for the City of Armadale (working with Elders and students from the community) to depict the life of Aboriginal Elders from 1950 to 1980. Jeanette is currently commissioned by the Mundaring Arts Centre to work with students from local schools to design and paint bus shelters — the established theme is the four seasons. Through her art, Jeanette assists Aboriginal women involved in domestic and traumatic situations, to express their feelings in order to commence their journey of healing. Jeanette currently lives in Northam with her family and is actively working as an artist and art therapist in that region. Jeanette also lectures at the O’Connor College of TAFE. Her dream is to have her work acknowledged and respected by her peers and the community.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report to the Pastoral Lands Board of Western Australia 2003–04
    Annual Report to the Pastoral Lands Board of Western Australia 2003/2004 Financial Year A report prepared for the Pastoral Lands Board of Western Australia by the Department of Agriculture October 2004 Compiled by Rod Williams and Philip Thomas with contributions from rangeland staff CONTENTS PREFACE 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 INTRODUCTION 6 PASTORAL LEASES 6 THE DIVERSITY OF THE RANGELANDS 6 1. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS 1.1 WARMS 7 1.2 Pastoral lease inspections 9 1.3 Rangelands resource surveys 13 1.4 Seasonal conditions 16 2. ECONOMIC ISSUES 2.1 Economic data 21 2.2 Trends in stock numbers compared to potential carrying capacities 29 2.3 Trends in cattle turnoff and wool cuts per head 31 2.4 Pastoral lease property market and rentals 31 3. SOCIAL INDICATORS 3.1 Kimberley 33 3.2 Pilbara 35 3.3 Gascoyne 38 3.4 Mid-West 40 3.5 Goldfields-Esperance (Nullarbor) 41 APPENDIX Graphical representation of rangeland statistics 43 2 Preface The Department of Agriculture has prepared this Annual Report for the Pastoral Lands Board of Western Australia for the financial year 2003 – 2004. This is the second report incorporating this framework and provides expanded information on issues and trends for a number of indicators of importance to Western Australia’s rangelands. The Department of Agriculture’s services to the Board are outlined and environmental indicators based on scientific analysis of range condition trend are presented at the regional and property scales. Seasonal conditions at the state level with more specific information at the regional level and information relating to the assistance packages available for those leases located in the area covered by the Exceptional Circumstances for 16 Shires in the regional areas of Pilbara; Gascoyne; Murchison; and Goldfields is included.
    [Show full text]
  • Pilbara 2 (PIL2 – Fortescue Plains Subregion)
    Pilbara 2 Pilbara 2 (PIL2 – Fortescue Plains subregion) PETER KENDRICK OCTOBER 2001 Subregional description and biodiversity of the aquifer, where either the Fortescue River or associated streams have eroded into the water- values carrying calcrete. The aquifer is known to contain a stygofauna. Little is known of this fauna, due to lack Description and area of survey. • Alluvial plains and river frontage. Extensive salt marsh, Fortescue Marsh: An extensive, episodically mulga-bunch grass, and short grass communities on inundated samphire marsh, approximately 100 km alluvial plains in the east. Deeply incised gorge systems in long and 10 km wide. Constricted at the western the western (lower) part of the drainage. River gum (downstream) end by the Goodiadarrie Hills, it is woodlands fringe the drainage lines. Northern limit of possible that the upper Fortescue is prevented from Mulga (Acacia aneura). An extensive calcrete aquifer flowing through into the lower Fortescue drainage (originating within a palaeo-drainage valley) feeds except in extreme rainfall events. These hills numerous permanent springs in the central Fortescue, effectively separate the Fortescue into two separate supporting large permanent wetlands with extensive drainages. The Fortescue Marsh represents the stands of river gum and cadjeput Melaleuca woodlands. terminus for the upper Fortescue. Episodically Climatic conditions are semi desert tropical, with average supports immense water-bird breeding. rainfall of 300 mm, falling mainly in summer cyclonic events. Drainage occurs to the north-west. Subregional Short Range Endemics area is 2,041,914ha. Generally very little is known about short range endemic invertebrates in the Pilbara. Dominant land use Rare Vertebrates (see Appendix B, key b) Includes: Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and Orange Leaf-nosed Bat (Rhinonicteris aurantius).
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of the Pilbara Region, Western Australia, 1967-1972 by TOM FLETCHER, 7 Montgomery Court, Kilsyth, Victoria, 3137
    AUSTRALIAN 220 BIRD WATCHER Birds of the Pilbara Region, Western Australia, 1967-1972 By TOM FLETCHER, 7 Montgomery Court, Kilsyth, Victoria, 3137. Introduction In 1967, after just returning from New Guinea, I was contracted to work on the initial studies and design for the Mt. Newman Iron Ore Project at Port Hedland, North-West Australia. I mention New Guinea in the above paragraph only to make a com­ parison with North-West Australia, for there are absolutely no similarities whatsoever between the two localities. The contrast is so extreme that on arriving in Port Hedland I was convinced I would not be there the following week at the same time. Nevertheless it was six and a half years later, and then only for the sake of my sanity, that I vacated the North-West Pilbara at the conclusion of a most rewarding and satisfying experience. During my years in the Pilbara I travelled extensively and continuously throughout the area radiating from Port Hedland and mainly bounded by Roebourne to the west-south-west, Wittenoom and Mt. Newman to the south, Marble Bar and Nullagine to the south-east and De Grey Station to the north-east. This area is primarily mineral rich granitic spinifex plains with very little tall vegetation apart from along the normally dry river courses with very occasional permanent water holes and of course mill bores. Rising from the plains are several most impressive ranges such as the Hamersley, Chichester and Marble Bar. The coastal areas are mainly sandy beaches and tidal mud flats with the tide being up to 10 metres.
    [Show full text]
  • Official/Settler Names Index
    Official/Settler Location Station/Mission/Reserve File Number Abraham, Mr 313/1904 Abraham, Mr J.S. West Perth 421/1906 Abraham, Percy 557/1903 Abraham, Percy Nor West 421/1906 Adam, J.P. York 319/1901 Adam, John (RM Northam) Northam 588/1899 Adam, John (RM Northam) Northam 471/1898 Adam, Mr 387/1898 Adam, W.H. (RM Katanning) Katanning 15/1898 Adam, W.K. (RM Katanning) Katanning 185/1899 Adam, W.K. (RM Katanning) Katanning 441/1898 Adam, W.K. (RM Katanning) Katanning 342/1900 Adam, W.K. (RM Katanning) Katanning 330/1898 Adam, W.K. (RM Katanning) Katanning 150/1899 Adam, W.K. (RM Kattanning) Katanning 353/1898 Adams (Const. No. 202) Dongarra 666/1906 Adams, Arthur R. (Actg. RM Onslow) Onslow 612/1907 Adams, Arthur R. (RM Derby) Derby Unnumbered/1908 Adams, Arthur R. (RM Derby) Derby 957/1908 Adams, Dr (DMO) Derby 799/1908 Adams, Jane Mangowine 279/1900 Adams, Jane 665/1898 Adams, Jane Mangonine 93/1905 Adams, Mr Derby 797/1908 Adams, Mr Onslow 349/1908 Adams, Mr (RM Derby) Derby 409B/1908 Adams, Mr J. Mangowine 279/1901 Adams, Mrs Yanajin Station Yanajin Station 1098/1906 Adams, Mrs Shark Bay 11/1905 Adams, W.J. Dongarra 328/1908 Adams, W.J. (Const. No. 202) Dongarra Unnumbered/1908 Adams, W.J. (Const. No. 202) 442/1901 Adcock, Mr C.J. Derby 616/1902 Adcock, Mrs Derby 762/1907 Adcock, Mrs (nee Thompson) Derby 616/1902 Ah Chew (m-Malay) Quanborn Station (?) Quanborn Station (?) 835/1908 Ahern, H.N. Twenty Mile Sandy 647/1902 Aikman, Andy Cook Creek 284/1908 Aitchison, J.
    [Show full text]
  • Worksheets Cyclone and Flood
    Worksheets Cyclone and Flood Module One: Understanding Tropical Cyclones Tropical Cyclone (TC) Facts information sheet Cyclops – a giant with only one eye information sheet Tropical Cyclone Fay worksheet Module Two: What’s In a Name? Tropical Cyclone Damage – information sheet Tropical Cyclone Damage – worksheet Module Three: Understanding Flood Types of Flood – worksheet Types of Flood – answer sheet Town Engineer for a Day! – information sheet Before, During and After a Flood – worksheet Before, During and After a Flood – answer sheet Module Four: Staying Safe in Cyclone and Flood Risky Behaviours – Turn Around, Don’t Drown – information sheet What could a 3 metre water level mean to your classroom – worksheet Module Five: Have a Plan - Cyclone and Flood Your School’s Emergency Plan – information sheet Look at your School’s Emergency Plan – worksheet Emergency Contact Numbers – worksheet Emergency Kit and Relocation Kit – worksheet How can you PREPARE for cyclone and/or flood emergencies? – worksheet Module Six: Responding to Cyclone and Flood DFES Cyclone Smart Community Alerts – worksheet From Rain to Warning – information sheet Tropical Cyclone (TC) Facts (Cut along dotted lines) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Tropical cyclones are storms that form over warm tropical waters and have gale force winds near their centre. Gale force winds are winds moving at 63 kilometres per hour (km/h) or greater. Above the equator (in the northern hemisphere), cyclones spin in an anti-clockwise direction and in the southern hemisphere they spin in a clockwise direction.
    [Show full text]